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Monday, August 26th
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Return to Crimson Dawn Monday, August 26th Pt. 2
I slam myself against the door. I can hear the wood splintering from each hit and it’s with the third that I finally make it inside the cabin. I pause just inside the door letting my eyes acclimate to the sudden change in brightness. Her screams have gone silent and it isn’t until my eyes adjust that I see the worst thing any sensible man could see. The petite little girl lays unconscious on the bed, her face is bloody from the multiple hits it has taken. She’s completely nude as is the man on top of her. He is twice her size and despite the sounds of the door breaking from its hinges, he’s yet to stop his depraved inhumane treatment of his own daughter. “Get off of her.” I growl in a voice I’ve never heard before. He continues with little notice of me standing there, grunting and moaning as he suddenly starts moving even faster. “Get off of her.” I growl even louder as something within me stirs. While it’s weak, I can barely hear the growls of a wolf inside my head. It feels as i
The Return to Crimson Dawn Monday, August 26th Pt. 3
It’s taking me longer to pick my way through the woods going back to Maverick’s house than it took for me to find the shacks. Liz is heavier than I was prepared for requiring me to stop every few minutes to shift her weight from one side to the other. While it feels weird to me, I’m glad that Buddy woke up. He has heightened my senses and has made it a lot easier to keep myself on track to where I need to go. I can tell by the strength of Maverick’s scent that I’m getting close as I stop, placing my hand upon a tree to catch my breath. It’s as I slow my breathing that I hear the sound of cracking branches nearby. “Who’s out there?” I call out as everything within me goes on high alert. “Stay where you are.” A voice with authority calls back. I’m torn between running the last quarter mile to Maverick’s house and doing as he says. “I mean you no harm. This little girl is hurt. I just want to get her to Maverick’s house to get her the help she needs.” I call out as I slowly try to
The Return to Crimson Dawn Wednesday, August 28th
I sit quietly in the jail cell on the bed next to the young man my twin and I have been helping for the past two weeks. I can’t believe the turn things have taken with the kind and benevolent Colton Allen Xander. Leslie alerted me yesterday that he was struggling to come out of the drugs he was given, giving me the medical necessity I need to visit him in jail. He finally started showing signs of waking up late last night. I watch as he stirs, lightly whimpering as he moves his legs. He took a nasty hit, one in each thigh, of medication. The easiest way to down a wolf without fighting them. “Move slowly until you know how you feel, Cole. Things haven’t worked out fast enough and for that I’m so very sorry.” I speak softly as he stirs even more. “It would be best if you stay lying down until you’re fully awake. Leslie has been taking care of you the last couple days.” “How?” He speaks hoarsely. “It’s important for you to remember that even though Leslie was the one to arrest you for
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, August 30th
(Alpha Martin O’Malley POV)I’m struggling internally with the news that the Council has chosen me to help them retrieve this endangered wolf. While I’ve spent several hours on the phone yesterday with Alpha Demetri Black, I’m in no way prepared, let alone qualified to take on such a high needs case. I’m not certain why I’m finding it so incredible to receive news that Cole Redmen has been located at the Purple Mountain pack but I am. Word reached the council that not only was he found but he was sentenced to physical punishment via whip for the rape of a twelve year old girl. I guess that’s what is so incredible, believing that this alpha has scheduled a public whipping for two this afternoon. Every alpha has heard of Alpha Dresden Draven. The council has received multiple notifications over the last ten years of him holding public whippings but they could never get in the territory before it happened. I curse with a grumble as I check my watch again. Councilman Bradley Holden was
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, August 30th Pt. 2
After exactly two hours on the road Bradley turns the traverse down the gravel drive. The entire drive has been spent listening to Brad and Al talking business, mostly the new laws that have passed. I’ve been steadily conversing with Demetri through text messages so I know exactly how to approach a young man who is likely to be terrified and ready to run. While I have worked with several individuals during my time with Operation Underground the briefing I received to prepare me for caring for Cole was flooring to say the least. “Do you know where Dresden holds his public punishments?” I ask as we all get out. “We have a source here that said they change their training facility to accommodate it. They are supposed to be meeting us here.” An additional set of four council members are standing in front of the pack house. “I’m not certain if they went over this but the three of you are going in first.” I nod silently as they’ve yet to introduce themselves. “Sorry I’m late. Getting a
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, August 30th Pt. 3
He shakes his head again. I’m now close enough to him that I can see his body visibly shaking. He also has bruises and swelling along the left side of his ribs. “I’m sorry to force it on you but I need you to accept my touch. I promise I’m not going to purposely hurt you. I can see your left side is bruised. Are you hurt anywhere else?” “Please don’t touch me.” He shakes his head as he speaks before dropping it down in submission. “I understand that you’re afraid. I am very sorry but I can’t honor your request. I promise I’m a gentle alpha.” I try to reassure him as I close the gap, placing my hands on his waist as his constant pulling to get away has left him nearly hanging by his arms. “Follow my pressure. I need you to step back.” He takes the two steps needed to get himself back on flat feet. “How do you know me?” His voice wavers with nervousness as if he’s uncertain he’s even allowed to ask. “I have been working very closely with Alpha Demetri. The conversation between
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, August 30th Pt. 4
His left hand tightens hard around the fabric of my shirt. I can tell he’s holding his breath as Maverick sprays down his wrist. Something about the lack of fight shows a level of trust that I didn’t expect. “Cole protected my twin sister.” Maverick speaks suddenly. “What?” “You asked before I warned Cole of the spray how did I find him. I didn’t. My sister Melissa went to a neighboring town about two hours away. The Gremlin pack had been on the move and she found herself being followed by them, a pack of six males I believe. She stumbled upon Cole wandering the streets. Even though his scent was off she could still tell he was a werewolf. She ran up to him, wrapped him in a hug and asked for his help. He didn’t hesitate and agreed to have dinner with her before she ultimately brought him home. He’s lived with us for the last two weeks or more.” Cole is holding his breath as his left wrist gets the same treatment as his right. “Is that why you called the council?” Alister jumps
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd
(Cassius’s POV)It’s been two days since Alpha Martin O’Malley contacted me about locating Cole and retrieving him from that heinous Purple Mountain pack. It was a relief to discover that he had been found by the benevolent social worker Melissa Ashlock. I was amazed at the story Martin repeated from her. How she literally ran into Cole’s arms when she was being chased and how he became her protector when that dangerous gang hadn’t given up despite the time that had gone by. Her twin Maverick took him in, cared for him after he was injured. It was a shock to hear he tried to stop the rape of a child and was going to be punished harshly when the rapist blamed him for it. What kind of pack does that? Although it was a relief to find him, Martin’s admittance to his medical team being unable to take on such a traumatized wolf put us on high alert. I’m grateful it only took two days to arrange everything we needed to make the trip. It’s taken us five hours to get to the Bluetail pack and
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The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday January 10th, Pt. 2
“It was during his return that things became more active in his case. Alpha Demetri made the trip with his mate to the Shadowlands pack. Turns out she’s an empath and was very sick with silver poisoning. They were able to save her and to the best of my knowledge he returned to Crimson Dawn around the beginning of the year.”“He did it? He made it home?”His face lights up like a child on Christmas day.“Yes, he is with his mate in the protections of Alpha Demetri Black. Unfortunately, his amnesia has not yet resolved and as a precaution, in order to obtain custody of Cole, Alpha Black had to agree to restrict his movements until his mental health improves.”“He’s a prisoner there?”I had a feeling he would take this part hard.“Not necessarily. Considering what little I know about the hell he lived through next door and his encounter with the alpha of Purple Mountain, I don’t see where he’ll have the desire to leave that territory any time soon.”He nods his head a little more relaxed
The Return to Crimson Dawn Epilogue, Friday January 10th, 2020; 2pm
(Julius’s POV) I smile as the tall frame of my son in law stops and knocks on my open door. “You wanted to see me?” “Yes sir. Please come in.” He steps inside the room but only manages to close the door halfway before the demons of his past creep back upon him. “I would prefer this to be a private conversation but if closing the door makes it feel like you’re going to be punished then I encourage you to keep it open.” I speak my true feelings as he slowly turns around. The look of disbelief on his face. While it takes him several deep breaths he does manage to shut the door by the time I’ve stood from my desk. “Where would you like to sit?” Once again he’s in disbelief. “I need you as relaxed and level headed as possible. Where would you be the most comfortable?” I try again. “The recliner?” He manages to speak after a hard swallow. I nod and allow him to lead. He chooses the rocking recliner allowing him to rock subtlety as Hayden stirs gently. I smile as he console
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 10
“I threw a fit. Charles waited until I was outside the courtroom to start punishing me for embarrassing him. He punched me in the face several times before I fell to the ground, then he started kicking me. He kept me on the ground until he was certain Heather and Marcus had left. Even though I had driven my own car to court he dragged me to his. He drove me home, only he didn’t go to the garage. No, he went to the back of the west wing where the room he modified for Cole is. I’ve only been in that room a handful of times when participating in my brother’s torture.” I stop as the memories of wrapping the silver belt around his leg and the condition he was in when I rescued him eight months ago blend together in a confusing mess. Murmurs float around the room, commenting on my unprompted confession. “Breathe, Andre. That was a very difficult truth to admit to. No comments will be made.” I know he’s addressing the pack as I continue to struggle. “You knew what was going to happen to
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 9
“I’m concerned about you Andre.” Julius now has my attention only he has crouched down to my level. “While your statement seems to have helped Hayden it gave me the clue I was looking for.” “A clue to what?” “The true reason behind the terror you have in gaining custody of your kids. While any other wolf in this pack saying such a thing would be passed off as simply being very serious about their statement, you stating that you nearly died once to fight for them is something I take very seriously. What happened the last time they were taken from you?” I shake my head hard, holding my breath as I fight against the flashbacks trying to invade my thoughts. “Andre?” He tries again but all I can do is shake my head slowly. “Papa Redmen hit him. He made him bleed.” The innocent voice of my daughter breaks through. “You saw it?” Abe seems shocked that it would be done in front of her. I watch as she nods her head. “Mommy spanked me for crying.” She whines hard before laying against h
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 8
(Andre’s POV) Stepping into the pack house is surreal at best. My head is spinning out of control with thoughts I had desperately tried to put behind me. I had relinquished all hope of ever having my kids just for the full force of the unpredictably of my life to cripple me when I need to be my strongest. The house is silent as I pick my way through the crowd. Julius is carrying Harper and Abe is trailing behind the two of us. It seems Julius wants as much of a barrier as he can create between Hayden and any escape route he may manage to find. I’m more concerned about him getting lost inside the pack house than him getting outside it. This place has proven to be a maze to me despite living here full time for the last six months. The house is completely silent except for the television quietly counting down the seconds until the new year. I can only hope that this year is different. That the New Year will actually be the change I’ve needed for years. Shamefully, I feel the dread tha
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 7
“To show him the effects that abuse has on others. To prove to him once and for all that what his father taught him is wrong. Besides, Charles has been extremely cruel to Andre as well.” “How so?” “Well, I just learned tonight that Alpha Redmen gave each of his sons permission to have sex, to even rape, at the age of sixteen but lied about the penalty for getting the lady pregnant. Andre has been beaten multiple times for pregnancies. The first two were not his, yet he was mercilessly beaten three times during both of those pregnancies. He was forgiven a fourth when the pups came back not his. The beatings got worse when he got three others pregnant just to be denied the ability to be their father. The two older ones with two different ladies are in better packs than Red Fang but the two with him now. Well, their mother isn’t much of a mother.” I state sadly as I pull into the garage, turning off the motor as the door closes behind me. “I need your help. These pups are terrified a
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 6
(Julius’s POV)It’s an hour's drive to get from Red General to the Red Moon pack house. Since Charles has been removed, moving through the Red Fang territory has become easier as the borders are completely open while the council is here. The bad news is, it’s gotten a lot more dangerous. While open borders allows the pack members to come and go, even move out if they please, it also allows rogues to infiltrate the territory. I’ve had to up my own guards on the border to account for the vulnerability it’s created for my own pack. The council hasn’t been happy with me accompanying Andre to and from the territory. They felt that, as the coronated heir, he should be able to handle this himself. I took the opportunity of his consistent meltdowns to save the fallout from such visits showing the council exactly how severe his abuse has been. I cringe every time I hear him speak about his brother, Cole. How has Cole even survived if his analogy of the situation is true? That Cole’s suffering
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 5
“It’s quite alright. We are used to this type of reaction from children who come in abused. I can tell by the way he’s calmed that you are his biological father. We’ve been waiting for you.” I’m stunned when a voice comes from behind me instead of the nurse in front of me. I turn to see an unfamiliar woman in the doorway in front of Julius and Alex. Something about her unnerves deeply and my immediate reaction is to step back. “Easy Andre, she’s here to help.” Julius tries to calm me. We study each other silently as I sway gently. “I understand that you have had a very rough time with the council’s family court. I promise it is different this time. Take a seat so we can talk. Are you okay with me sitting on Harper’s bed?” I nod slowly without moving. “Mr. Redmen, do you think you can get him to take this?” The nurse hands me a little cup of purple liquid. “What is it?” “Tylenol 3. It has a small amount of codeine in it. Humans won’t give it to children this young but it has be
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 4
I wake up yelping, screaming and fighting from the fitful dream I fell into during the ride to Red General. I cling hard to the back of Alpha Julius’s shirt as he silently embraces me. I had no idea how hard dad had been on me until I went to Blister Ridge. I had to harden up while I was back at Red Fang which has not only delayed my ability to process what has happened but it has added to the trauma I’m already struggling with. Josh has diagnosed me with complex PTSD, he did shortly after I moved into this pack after Cole disappeared. He simplified the description as being multiple traumatic events instead of just one causing the post trauma anxiety. Julius waits patiently for me to get myself together as going into the hospital with my own PTSD on full display won’t help me with my kids. I lift myself from his shoulder slowly, taking several deep breaths with my eyes still closed. It’s only as I open them and look into his blue-green eyes that he speaks. “Are you ready?” His voic
